Holder for shades, reflectors, and the like.



M. P. STEVENS.. HOLDER FOR SHADES, REFLEGTORS, AND THE 'LIKE. APPLICATION FILED JAN.1 0, 1913.

1,076,463. A Patented 0011.21, 1913.

2 HBETEFSREET 1.

W SEEQW M. P. STEVENS. HOLDER FOR SHADES, REPLECTORS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 10, 1 913 V 'L'Q76 463, Patented 00c. 21, 11913.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

s ra res arena orrros.

reunion r. m nivans, or" EAST ORANGE, NEW .JnRs'EY.

HOiZDiElIZFOR' seams, summons, aim- THE LIKE.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oer. 2i, leis.

Application-filed January 10, 1913. Serial No. 741,147.

T all whom it may concern v Be it known that I, I /IERTON P.-Sr EvENs, a citizen ofthe'United- States, residing at East Orange, in-the' countymf Essex and State of New Jersey, have i iiv'ented certain new and iiiseful- Improvements in Holders for Shades; Reflectors; and the like, of which the following is'a specification. 7

Fly invention relates to new and useful improvements in holders for shades, reflectors and the like, and broadly contemplates theprovision of improved and simplified means for supporting a shade; reflector or the like, in operative position relative to an illuminating means. for example, an incandescent. electric light bulb.

I do not desire to be liinited to thep'articular type of illun'iinating means or to any specific head. or flange.

The primary objects of the invention are form of shade. reflector or the like, in connection with which the invention may be employed, but hare shown and described the same for the purposes-of this application as beingasscciated with a sup )ort for supporting an incandescent light ulb or a socket therefor. and a bell-shaped shade or reflector of well-known form having an attaching to proride a holder for the purpose stated, which will be simple in construction, sightly in appearance, convenient in opera tion and in which the v hade or reflector e'ngaging parts will be concealed from view.

The invention consists in the construction of parts, and the arrangement thereof in. operative combination, to be more fully described hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed tinctly claimed.

I have fully and clearly illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawings-to be taken as a part of this specification=, -and' wherein Figure'l is a vertical central section' view' through an embodiment of my invention,

out" and disthe' pnrtsbeingshownin the relation as-- sumed when holding a shade or reflector. Fig. 2 is a vertical central SBCUOH'VIQWV of the embodiment of my- 1n"6nt-1OI1.- 1llllS trated in Fig 1, butwith thepaits-in' the;

position assumed when operated to release" or receive a 'shade or reflector. Figs; 3; 4, 5, 6;, '7 i and 8- are vertical central section the source" of' illumination.

views through other embodiments of the same invention, but (littering t'rom each other and'from the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 1n specific (lQltlllS. V

x. Referring to the drawings by Characters ofreferenceand more particularlyto Figs.

1 and 2.1 designates wall or ceiling plate of any suitable construction and design and adapted to be secured to a supporting memher or surface by any desirable means. This plate 1 is formed with a central tubular projection or nipple 2, which is preferably interiorly threaded as at 3. 4 designates a cylindrical coupling picce or' member hai ing a nipple-extension 5, threaded as at 6,

and adapted to be screwed into the threaded bore of the nipple 2. I do not desire to be limited to the exact manner of uniting said coupling-piece and the supporting plate,,as I- have shown the threaded connection only as being a convenient and, etiicient means of connectingthe parts. 7 designates a source of, or means for, illumination, in the pres-- depend aplurality of spring-engaging-fin ger's ll'adapted to engage and hold a shade, reflector; or the like, in proper relation to The said holding means may .be secured 'in position by a variety oft-means, but I prefer-to form the centergpiece- 10 with acentral aperture 12,

to receive the threaded nipple 8, on the I socket-piece 7, so that when the said nipple -1s screwed mto'place 1n the coupling piece 4, said holdingmeans will be'securely and rigidly clamped between the socket and the lower end of the coupling-piece. spring-fingers 11 are ofspri'ngsheet metal, and are disposed in circular arrangement concentric with the couplin-g piece 4', and each is directed outwardly in a gener'al div The .gers heretofore described.

rection longitudinally of the fixture, as at shade, reflector or the like, is then pushed 13, for a suitable distance, where it is .again directedoutwardly and then inwardly to form a locking recess 14, on the inner faces of said finger, to receive the bead or flange on the shade, reflector, or the like, and is then directed outwardly to form a shoulder or projection 15, to lock under the bead'of theshacle or reflector, the lower end of the finger-being flared outwardly, as shown at 16., Mounted on the spring-fingers and supporteu thereby is a cup or bell-shaped operating or retaining member 17, which ex-' tends longitudinally of the lixture'and incloses or surrounds the spring holding fin: This operating or retaining member 17 is freely reciprocable or movable lengthwise of the fingers 11, and the fixture, and is flared-in a direction from the fixed ends of the fingers toward the free ends of the latter, so as to have an internal cone-face 18, which, when the member is moved toward the free ends of said fingers, engages the latter to hold them in position to hold the head of the shade, reflector, or the like, It will be understood that the cone-face may take a position so as to compress the flngers'about the bead of the shade, reflector or the like, or the cone-face can take a position adjacent the fingers to prevent them being moved outwardly sufficient to release the said bead. In order-to normally maintain the member 17 in position to cause the fingers 11 to retain theshade or reflector, I provide a coiled spring 19 surrounding the coupling-piece 4 and exerting its force expansively against a seat or flange 20, rigid 'with the inner face of said member 17, and against an abutment plate 21: -The abutment plate. 21 is arranged concentric with the coupling-piece 1, and is preferably held in place by being clamped between said coupling-piece and the nipple 2, and is of such diameter as to substantially close thevupper end of the operating or retaining member 17. This plate 21 is formed with a circumferential flange 22 closely approaching the upper ,rim or edge of the member 17 and lapping the same so as to conceal the inclosed parts. This flange with its plate also forms a seatfor the upper end of the-spring 19.

In an embodiment of my'invention, as

above described, the parts being constructed and arranged as set forth, the operation is as follows: lVlien a shade, reflector or the like isto" be secured in place, the operating or retaining member 17 is moved lengthwise of the fingers against the force of the spring 1.), so as to carry the cone-face 18 out -of holding relation to the spring-fingers 1.1 to permit-the latter to be moved radially of the fixture. The position taken by this movement of the op rating member 17 is shown in Fig, 2. T ed or flanged end of the and the fixture. to bring the cone-face 1S into holding-relation -to said fingers.' As" above stated, the cone-face 18 may so engage the fingers as to compress thenraboutthe shade or reflector, or it may take a position relative thereto to prevent sufficient radial movement thereof to release the bead upon outward movement of the shade or reflector.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the main support as consisting of a bracket arm, 23 having a head 24, the latter having an integral nipple 25 having a threaded reduced end 26,

to receive the nipple of the socket 7. In this form the spring 19 is somewhat re duced in size over that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and, instead of being seated on anabutment plate, is seated in an annular recess 27, formed by the nipple 25, and an annular flange 28 integral with thehead 24, and spaced from the said nipple 25. In other respects, both as to construction and operation, this form is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and need not be further described at'this point.

In Fig. 1 I have shown another embodiment ofithe same invention in which a bracket arm and head like that shown in Fig. 3 is employed as the support, but in this form I show the operating and retaining member stamped from sheet metal, as

shown at 29, instead of formed of a casting, as shown in Figs. 1, -2 and I also pro- Vide a coupling-piece 31. of a slightly different construction from that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the same having an upper threaded nipple 32 threaded into the head 24 and having a lower threaded nipple 33 to receive the interiorly threaded'nipple 34 v on the lamp-socket In this form of the invention, as heretofore stated, the member 29 is formed of sheet metal and is coneshaped, but, instead of having the interlor flange for the spring seat, as shown in Figs.

1, 2 and 3, it is formed at its upper end with a flaring annularflange35, forming with the upper end of the cone portion of the operating member an inwardly-projecting shoulder 36, which forms the seat for the hiwer end of the spring 37, the upper end of which abuts and is housed in a flanged abutment plate 38 clamped between the coupling-piece Bland the head 24. It will be noted that 145 form the nipple 8 of "the socket screwed directly into the head 2i et the 35- abuts the flange wis es in this form the-flanges 5 as that heretofore described.

In Fig. 5 l have shown another form of the invention. adapted it'or use inronneetion with lamp-sockets of greater length then those shown -in Figs. 1, 2, fiend in this iis bracket arm. and clampedbetween the said socket and head is the centenpiece 1.0, cerrying the fingers 11". in tllh form of the invention the fingers, instead of flaring substantially from their point of support, extend substantially parallel to the axis of the socket and are oi such length that their lower ends, having-the recesses M will be in position-at the receivingor open end of the socket. The operating member consists of-a oylindrical sheet-metal shell 17 bowing et itsdower end an outWardly-iierin5:flange 18' having a. circumferential bead 19 over whichisloeked or crimped the flange 20" of a ring-pieee-EZ'L, the latter carrying a cone part 22' projecting upwardly within the operating --nieniloer. The upper smell end of the said-cone part 2:2 terminates adjacent the base-of the flsnge 18 end is tonned with a-radial flange 93. which formsa seat for the spring 242, which is housed between the shell 17 andthe fingers ii. The opposite=end-of the spline 2& from that which 23 is against a flanged abutment plate 25 which overhangs the upperends of said fingers and is clamped between=the=nipple 8' and the head 24, the flange of said abutment pletelepping the 4e upper end of the operating member sons to conceal-end inclose the said spring. I here show-n an application of the construction shownunjl ig. 5-to a. wall or ceilingplate 1n l igtfi innvhich constructionl dispensewith e5 the plate 25' as shown in Fig. 5, and form the wall. plate with an annular flange 39 which projects between the sleeve 17 and the'fingers 11 and serves as the abutment for one end of the spring 2-1- All oi? the forms shown in l igs. 1 to 6, inclusive, while not so limited. are adapted for use in connection with keyless sockets in which the current'is controlled from a inaster switch or other switch, but, in Figs. 7

and S i show provision whereby the invention is adopted forfiisein connection with key-sockets. lln Fig. 7 the spring fingers 11 and the plate 25' are the some as that ahown in Fig. 5, but I employ anope *ating' so member C,".1'hich is substantially cylindrical in form and provided with a cone- Me 41. to cooperate with said fingers in the same manner as heretofore described. This operating member is formed at its upper end with e. slot 4:2 extending longitudinally of said and the Henge maintain its holdingrelation thereto.

member and edgpted to -.receive the stern d3 be readily rotated and the operating member may move longitudpially of the socket when operated to releasethe-spring fingers or to lit will be understood that in this form two of the spriug fingers may be so spaced as to permit the stem 43 to pass between the some.

in Fig. 8 the springlingers ere shown .et 4i and the constructirni thereof is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, but the abutment plate or member consists of an elongetedshell 45, the lower end of which extends to a point-adjacent the lower end of the lei'np-socket end is provided with a cylindrieelnnnular flange d6.

, Surrounding this fiiinge is a ring member 4:? carrying an upwardly and invvnrdlydirected annular cone-piece adapted to cooperate with the spring-fingers. A spring 49 is n13 ranged between the lower flared end of the sleeve 45 and the base of" the'fienge48 so as to normally urge the rings? to carry the flange 48 into holding relation to the spring fingers. The ring li inay be provided with a surrounding stitlening ring 50 to prevent distortion thereof. The sleeve 45 is provided with an aperture 51 through which extendsv the stem 43' ot' the lamp-socket key, which, as heretofore stated, may pass through a space between two of the spring-fingers.

The operation of all of the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 3 to 53, inclusive,

.is substantially the some as that of the forms shown in li i s. 1 and 2 and it is not .-believed that it will be necessary to repeat (the operation.

What-l. claim and desire to securebylhetters Patent of the United States is:--

A 1. in combination. a support adapted to' support a lamp socket, means for supporting it shade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto COIHIH'lSlDg spring clamping fingers mounted on the support, a mem her surrounding said fingers and having means to hold thel ,filngers'in clamping position. and a sprinpinto move said. means into holding relation w th said fingers.

2. in combination. a. support adapted to support a lamp socket, means for supportin; a shade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto comprising spring clamping fingers mounted on the support, a mcmber surrounding said fingers and having an annular cone-surface to hold the fingers in clamping positioinand a spring to move said member to place said surface in engagement with said fingers.

3. In combination, a support adapted to support a lamp socket, means for supportlug ashade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto comprising spring clamp ing fingers supported by the support, a

cone member surrounding the fingers and freely reciprocable lengthwise thereof, and

a shade or reflector.

4:. In'eombination, a support adapted to support a' lamp socket, means for supportmg a shade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto comprising spring clamping fingers supported by the support, a member surrounding the fingers and freely reciprocable lengthwise thereof, cooperating means between the said member. and the fingers whereby movement of the member in one direction holds the fingers in clamping position, and in the opposite direction permits the fingers to expand, and a spring for urging the said member into holding re, lation with the fingers.

5. In combination, a support adapted to supper-ta lamp socket, means for supporting a shade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto comprising spring clamping fingers mounted on the support, an annular cam surrounding said fingers to hold the fingers in clamping position, and

a s ring to move said cam into holding relation with the fingers.

6. In combination, a support adapted to support a lamp socket, means for supporting a shade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto comprising spring clamping fingers supported by the support, a cone member surrounding the fingers and freely reciprocable lengthwise thereof, an abutment inside the cone member, and a spring housed within the cone member and exerting its force against said abutment tov move the cone into holding engagement with the fingers to cause them to clamp a shade, refiector or the like.

7. In combination, a support adapted to support a lamp'socket, spring clamping members mounted on the support, a sleeve surrounding the said fingers and movable freely lengthwise of said fingers, and adapted to hold the fingers to cause them to clamp a shade. reflector or the like, and a spring urging the sleeve into holding relation with the said fingers. Y

8. In eombimnion, a support adapted to support a lamp socket, spring clamping members mounted on the support, a sleeve surroimding the saidv fingers and movable freely lengthwise or said fingers, and haV-' ing a cone cam adapted tohold the fingers to cause them to clamp a shade, reflector or supported thereby, and a spring-for urging the sleeve toward the lower ends of the fingers into holding engagement therewith.

10. In combination, a support, a coupler,

a lamp socket connected to the coupler, means for supporting a shade, reflector or the like in operative relation thereto. comprising spring clamping fingers held be tween the lamp socket and the coupler and surroundingthe lamp socket, an annular member surrounding the fingers, coacting means between the fingers and said member for holding the fingers in' clamping position upon movement of said member in one direction, a spring exerting its force against a part fixed to the support and said member to move'the member to hold the fingers.

11. In combination, a support adapted to support a lamp socket, spring clamping fingers fixed on the-support, a member surrounding the fingers and freely movable lengthwise thereof to maintain them in position to clamp a shade, reflector or the like, a spring formoving said member lengthwise of the fingers, and means on the member and support formingahousing con-. cealing said spring. a

12. In combination, a support adapted to support a lamp socket, spring clamping fiugers fixed on the support, a member surrounding the fingers and .freely movable lengthwise thereof to maintain'them in posll'lOn to clamp a shade,refiector or the like, a spring for moving said member lengthwise of the fingers, and overlapping flange members on the said member and sup port forming a. housing concealing said spring.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subseri'bing witnesses.

MERT ON P. STEVENS \Vitnesses M. 1 1. McNiivon, C. G. Harmrnx. 

